This story takes place somewhere in the Season 2 time line. This story is dedicated to my husband, a man of integrity and the hero in my life.

Integrity

by Lynn

Captain Lee Crane sat at the table leaning over to view the hurried scribbled diagram that was being drawn on the paper napkin before him.

“And if we rewire FS1 here,” Admiral Nelson pausing and pointing with his pen, “we should be able to add the appropriate circuit board for the on-board laser.” The last said beaming with satisfaction.

Lee's hazel green eyes studied the napkin, following the Admiral's line of reasoning easily.

“Should work, but I wonder if you accessed the circuit board from here,” pointing to a different location on the diagram, “wouldn't that draw the power more cleanly?” His dark head raising as he spoke.

Harry considered it for a moment, then shook his head.

“It's a good thought Lee, but the Laser needs to be mounted here, so I think the best route is so,” pointing again at the paper napkin.

Lee nodded in agreement. He appreciated Harry's ability to think through design situations so easily, and appreciated even more that he was included in this impromptu brainstorming session. Lee picked up his coffee taking a sip while looking out the cafe windows. Chip was late, not like him.

“He probably got hung up taking care of some last minute problems with supplies.” Harry smiled, following Lee's thoughts easily.

Lee returned the smile, “I'm sure you're right Admiral.”

“Captain Crane, call for Captain Crane?” Their conversation was interrupted by a pretty young waitress holding a note of some kind in her hand walking through the tables as she spoke.

Lee laughed inwardly. He and the Admiral were the only people dressed in uniform in the cafe, never the less, he addressed her politely in response.

“Yes Miss, I'm Captain Crane.”

“Oh, Captain Crane, I have a phone call for you from a Commander Morton. Will you follow me please?”

“Of course.” Lee rose to follow the young lady and leaned over to the Admiral as he stood. “I guess we'll find out what's going on now.” Smiling as he followed her towards a hall with a phone sitting on a table.

“Oh no sir, that phone isn't working. I'll show you to the phone in the office.” Speaking as she motioned her hands toward a door at the end of a long hall.

Lee followed, anxious to see what kind of problem with checking in supplies could have kept Chip from their lunch appointment.

As she opened the door Lee was immediately taken by the arm by a man who shoved him inside and closed the door behind them. Lee started to fight back, but was caught off guard by the man who had his arm...Baxter? His surprise was covered over quickly as he was taken by other hands and felt a gun placed to his neck.

“Welcome Captain Crane.” Lee looked up to see a beautiful blond woman in front of him. He knew he was in trouble when he saw the hypodermic needle in her hand.

“Bring Captain Crane to the couch,” motioning to the small office sofa against the wall.

Lee struggled even with the gun pressed to his neck and got pistol whipped for his trouble. He was only semi-conscious as they guided him to the couch where his uniform jacket was shed before laying on him on his back. The beautiful blond headed woman, Dr. Vanessa Paris, reached over and pulled his tie loose, sliding it off Lee's neck. Then she proceeded to unbuttoned the top three buttons of his khaki uniform shirt and reached around his neck breaking the chain free.

“Unbutton his cuff,” she ordered as she prepared the hypo pressing slightly and pushing the air out of the vial expertly.

Lee was becoming coherent again and started to fight his captors as they leaned heavily, holding him in place. He felt the sting of a needle in his right arm at the vein near his elbow and then immediately felt a fire course up his body wracking him in pain.

* * * * *

Lee had only been gone a few moments, when the young lady who had brought the message reappeared.

“Admiral Nelson? Captain Crane would like for you to join him, it seems there is some problem that requires your attention.”

The Admiral smiled and followed her, a bit perplexed at what problem would make Chip late, and keep Lee from handling it without him. He was guided to the office at the end of the hall where he was greeted with a gun to his head and shoved against a wall.

He saw Lee laying on a couch struggling as his sleeve was pushed up and a woman inserted a needle into his arm. Harry started to call to Lee but was silenced by the man holding the gun to his head.

He watched as Lee made a grunting sound that escalated as his body contorted in several directions. His assailants continued to hold him in place while the blond headed woman leaned down and spoke into Lee's ear.

“That's right...hold on Captain, almost over...60 more seconds...that's right...few more seconds...there.”

Then he saw Lee's body slowly fall back into the couch as he breathed heavily.

The woman was obviously in charge, barking orders that were immediately obeyed.

“Take the Captain to the car.”

He watched the men dressed in black business suits over black turtlenecks pull Lee from the couch. They half dragged him, his legs struggling to keep up as they left the room. Just then a beep was heard, and the woman pulled out a small communication device putting it to her ear and listening. A smile formed on her face and she turned off the device and moved forward toward Harry.

“Seaview is ready, let's go,” addressing the Admiral's guards.

“Wait a minute! Who are you and what do you want?” Harry was livid as he demanded his answers.

“I am Dr. Vanessa Paris, as for the rest of your questions Admiral Nelson, you will have to wait.” Then she closed the distance between the Admiral and herself speaking darkly.

“A word of advice Nelson. If you want your Captain to survive this 'little ordeal' you'll cooperate fully.”

With that Harry was spun around and taken through a door that led directly outside to a waiting limousine. Dr. Paris moved to the front taking the passenger seat next to the driver, while Harry was shoved into the back of the black limo, his guards following taking the seats opposite Harry.

Harry was relieved when he realized that he was sitting next to Lee. His chin was resting on his chest and he seemed unaware that Harry was next to him.

“Lee?” Harry called quietly, looking up at his guards. The main guard sat across from him wearing a pair of dark sunglasses and seemed to ignore the fact that he was talking to Lee.

“Lee.” Lee's head lifted slowly but not completely.

“Admiral? Can't...hard to think...” Lee struggled to speak and lowered his head again.

“They gave you a drug Lee. Do you know what they want?”

“No...haven't... asked me anything.” Lee seemed to be more coherent as he continued. “Where are they taking us?”

Harry paused, “To Seaview.”

Lee's head rose slowly and looked out the windows, struggling to concentrate. The Admiral's words verified as they pulled up to the dock at the end of the pier where large boats and ships often berthed for supplies. Even with his eyes glazed with the effects of the drug, he took in the sight of his Gray Lady before him, strangers guarding the gangplanks.

The limo stopped and the doors were opened from the outside. Harry was pulled out first and moved to one side, his guard with the dark sunglasses keeping him still. Lee was next, trying to fight against his guards and the drug inside him, but it was no use. He was thrown back against the limo helpless as Dr. Paris moved to him speaking rather matter of factly.

“No heroics, Captain. You haven't the strength.” Her triumphant smile sickening him.

Lee's head dipped in defeat, she was right about one thing, he was as weak as a kitten.

Rough hands guided him to the conning tower as Dr. Paris stepped in first. Her tall slender body easily taking the rungs down to the control room. A guard followed and then Lee. He worked hard to stay on the rungs, even though he had descended them often without a single thought.

As his feet touched the control room floor, he stopped and looked around. Men in black knit turtleneck shirts and fatigue pants manned the stations. His eyes scanned the control room when he registered the only familiar face.

Chip's eyes met his, and Lee saw that he had bruises on his face and a cut that was bleeding over his left eye. Chip had obviously fought back. Lee hardly had time to wonder about the rest of the crew when he was pulled through the control room, past the periscope and chart table to the nose. He was shoved down into a chair that was waiting for him. His left arm was pulled to the side of the chair and handcuffed as was his right with another handcuff, as his head hung limply.

The woman, Dr. Paris he heard someone call her, returned to his right side and rolled his sleeve up over his elbow. He felt the needle again, and felt the fire speed up his arm.

* * * * *

A guard preceded Harry down the ladder and then he followed. He watched as Lee was being dragged toward the nose, still obviously affected by the drug. He stepped to one side as the rest of the guards entered the control room.

“What's the meaning of this, who's in charge?” He bellowed his questions with all the fervor of the four star admiral he was.

A man wearing a gold insignia on his turtleneck collar stepped forward. He was as tall as Lee with dark hair, but other than that they had nothing else in common. This man was the epitome of greed, and evil ambition. He had dark eyes that held an attitude of superiority in them and that spoke of his dark intentions.

“Admiral Nelson, so good to finally meet you. I am Jason Paris, and I believe you've already met my sister. As for the meaning of all this,” he drew his arms around to indicate the control room, “Seaview now belongs to me,” pausing for affect. “But a nuclear submarine is worth more with her nuclear weapons intact.”

His guard with the dark sunglasses then proceeded to loosen Harry's tie, unbutton his top button and yanked the chain roughly from his neck. At the end of the chain dangled a brass key with a rounded head. Then he pulled out another key from his pocket, holding both chains in his right hand.

Harry recognized the key. Lee had been too out of it to realize that they had taken it. Jason Paris strode closer to the black clad guard taking both keys.

“Fortunately for you Admiral Nelson, your code was intercepted. The Captain's, on the other hand will have to be...extracted.”

Harry's eyes followed Paris' as he looked toward the nose where Lee was being held. As if on cue, Lee began to writhe in pain in the chair he was secured in, with grunts and groans escaping his lips. His body thrashed about uncontrollably but ineffectually as he was tethered securely to the chair. It seemed to last forever, but Harry realized it was shorter than the first injection. Then Lee's body relaxed as his breathing fought to catch up with his need for air.

* * * * *

As soon the fire hit his bloodstream he began his pain management technique. ONI prided itself in their field training, but Lee had discovered the best technique after visiting with Pat and his wife in the hospital. Lori Patterson was holding her beautiful newborn baby girl in her arms explaining how she had endured seven hours of hard labor without pain medication.

The other men in the room were less than interested, but Lee had listened intently.

“Every contraction lasts from one to two minutes, so as soon as it began I would begin to count off the seconds to the end of the contraction. I took every contraction one at a time, and the concentration it took to count and “breathe” helped to put the pain in place.” Her face was beaming with pride at both her new baby and her having delivered completely natural.

Lee wondered how well it would work when there wasn't a beautiful baby as your reward on the other side. He had the unfortunate opportunity to use the technique the following month. It had proven to be effective in certain situations.

He began counting as soon as the fire hit, ignoring the Doctor's voice as she offered comforting words of “encouragement” into his ear. He still had enough reasoning left to realize two things: That Dr. Paris was an evil witch and that the pain subsided at 60 seconds. He would remember that, it would help to get through subsequent injections. But then his coherency began to fade as his ability to reason seemed to recess to the edges of his mind, still there but hard to reach.

“Captain Crane,” Lee obediently lifted his head as he was summoned by Dr. Paris, the drug making him compliant to her request. “I'm here to help you.” Her voice calm and reassuring. It would have brought him comfort had he not still held on to a strand of his reasoning abilities.

“I need your Nuclear Code. You're sick, give it to me and I'll keep it safe.”

Nuclear Code? It was all so confusing, she wanted to help...but she was doing this to him...she'd keep it safe...safe. Nuclear code...7, alpha, 9, 8, 2, delta, whiskey, 5, 5, 0.

His head fell once again toward his chest as she coaxed and encouraged him for about 15 minutes, and then left. All the while Lee repeated the important code in his head...7, alpha, 9, 8, 2, delta, whiskey, 5, 5, 0.

* * * * *

Harry was moved to a position near the middle of the control room, where Chip was standing in between two unmanned stations. He had watched as Lee endured the second injection, grateful that it seemed to be shorter in duration this time.

As Dr. Paris leaned over speaking to Lee, Harry's eyes scanned the control room. Jason Paris walked around the control room issuing orders, and soon he could feel the vibrations as Seaview left port. His eyes scanned the weapons control panel where a technician sat. The new Fail Safe system had two safety elements, the first being the keys that had been taken from his and Lee's neck, the second were the two nuclear codes that worked independently of each other, verifying the authenticity of the orders as legitimate.

Paris had both keys, and apparently, Harry's code. The Doctor was working to retrieve Lee's through some sort of truth serum although, Harry had never seen one work quite like this before. Usually, an uncomfortable feeling was followed by a compliancy. What he witnessed with Lee escalated way past “uncomfortable”. It rivaled more a “conditioning” than a truth serum, perhaps a bit a both he reasoned.

He noticed that Dr. Paris had stood, smiled, and then left Lee's side striding confidently to the weapon's console where her brother now stood.

“How's it going?” Jason Paris inquired as he looked down at his clip board, jotting down as he spoke.

“It it proceeding exactly as I have planned. He will be ready with the next injection.” Her satisfied smile turning her beautiful face into something totally undesirable.

She turned and strode purposefully around the periscope island toward the Admiral and Chip, a guard near them with his weapon drawn.

“I thought you might be interested as a scientist in how my drug protocol works.” Her words a statement, more than a question. He answered with an eyebrow that raised inquisitively.

“You see, most of my subjects tell me everything I want to know by the second injection, but on occasion a subject will require three injections. I have correctly estimated Captain Crane to be such a man.” She continued to smile and speak as if she were a professor giving a lecture to her students.

“The pain you witnessed is not meant to be meaningless torture, it serves a very important purpose. You see a man of integrity will endure most any pain to keep his secrets. It actually serves as the “softening” up process in the drug's conditioning of the subject to trust me. It sends impulses to the brain that imitate an electric shock, every nerve in my subject's body is affected.”

So, I was right. Conditioning...brainwashing in a bottle, all sealed up and ready to inject. She carried on with her lecture even as Harry assimilated the affects.

“That, and the compliance element coupled with a strong sedative that weakens the body and the stimulant that keeps my subject awake, and I have developed a tool that works in minutes instead of days.” Her smirk evident of the pride of her accomplishment.

“I think you'll find that Captain Crane won't be so easy to break,” Harry offered confidently.

“My dear Admiral Nelson,” she paused bringing her face closer to his. “By the time I'm through with the Captain, he'll not only tell me what I want to know...he'll be totally convinced that he's doing the right thing.” The latter spoken in staccato emphasizing the last three words, she turned to leave with that insufferable smirk on her face.

“How long do you think he can hold out Admiral?” Chip whispered into Harry's ear.

“I don't know, Chip. But we need to be ready to help him, be watching.” Harry spoke quietly but their conversation had not gone unnoticed. The lead guard, who had by now taken off his dark sunglasses walked toward them and pushed Harry backwards into an unused control panel, landing a blow to his stomach.

“Quiet!” He growled harshly and walked away.

Harry felt something being pushed into the inside of his jacket, and registered the gun that the lead guard had expertly and secretly handed off. Harry over reacted, doubling over so that he could reposition the gun safely inside the pocket of his uniform jacket. They had a friend.

* * * * *

7, alpha, 9, 8, 2, delta, whiskey, 5...

Lee's concentration was interrupted as the Doctor reappeared at his side, speaking to him as his sleeve was adjusted slightly up by someone else.

“Captain, its time to tell me the Nuclear Code. We have to keep it safe.” Her lies still apparent to Lee, he lowered his eyes and continued concentrating, 7, alpha, 9...

His concentration was totally thrown off as the needle penetrated his skin again, and the pain took his body as the feeling of an electric shock shook his body uncontrollably. Please help me... was all he could think before he began counting off seconds, 1, 2, 3, 4.....

By the time he had reached 60, the shock treatment had subsided and Lee breathed raggedly.

“Captain Crane, you're sick. You need to give me the Nuclear Code so that I can protect it.”

Lee lifted his head to see the Doctor, and nodded obediently, as he heard himself giving her the Nuclear Code.

“7, alpha, 9, 8, 2, delta, whiskey, 5, 5, 0.” Doctor Paris wrote each of the numbers into the boxes that were printed on her pad.

“Very good Captain, now that wasn't so hard was it?” Speaking to Lee with a pretense of concern.

“You can release the Captain now,” she said to several of her assistance who wore lab coats.

Lee felt his hands being released from the handcuffs, his wrists raw from the thrashing around he had done in the chair. His head hung limply as he tried to recover. He was aware of the Doctor as she walked around to the front of him, and he lifted his head compliantly to look into her face.

She held an evil grin as she spoke, “And Captain...you were easy to break.” With that she strode off to the control room as Lee's head sank into his chest in regret.

* * * * *

Doctor Paris' “victory lap” to the weapon's panel was lost on her brother who was busy near the radio shack. His attention turned to his sister as she held out the pad she had written on, his eyes asking the question.

“The Nuclear Code,” she answered without him verbalizing his inquiry, smirking as she did so.

Jason Paris pulled the pad free from her hands as if he had secured a great treasure and walked over to the weapon's console, to the right of the radio shack.

Harry and Chip had watched the exchange, one look over at Lee's head as it laid heavier on his chest than before, and Harry knew that Lee had lost the battle.

They had a good view from their place across the control room as Jason placed the pad in front of the technician. The technician took the code, and turned first one key and entered a code from another pad...my stolen code, Harry reasoned. Then the technician turned the second key and began to enter in the Nuclear Code obtained by Dr. Paris, 7, alpha, 9, 8, 2, delta, whiskey, 5, 5, 0.

Harry and Chip watched in horror as the weapons panel came to life, and the code bar moved from “Peace” to “Alert” but then stopped short of “War” as the lights blinked on and off, and then the console went dead.

“What's wrong?” Jason Paris demanded looking over the console as the technician tried pushing buttons and sliding controls.

“Its an expired code!” The technician realized as he settled back into his chair looking up at the furious face of Jason Paris.

“What can we do, how do we fix it?” Jason said trying to reason through the problem of the console that was now locked out.

“There is a Reset Code,” the technician offered.

“Who has it?” Jason looked over at Admiral Nelson suspecting that he had possession of the Code that would bring their panel to life.

The technician looked squarely into his superior's eyes and said, “The Captain.” They continued to stare at each other for a brief moment, then as one they turned their heads to meet the eyes of Captain Crane in the nose as he delivered a small pained smile of victory to his captors. Then his head dropped again, too heavy to hold up.

Jason turned ignoring the totally unbelieving look on his sister's face and walked heavily to the nose. Lee was dragged to his feet by several guards who had followed Paris from the control room.

“My sister has her methods of getting information and I have mine, Captain!” He spat out getting close to Lee's face as he spoke.

“Let's start with the Reset Code!”

But Lee looked defiantly up at Paris, even though he had little to offer in his defiance but his silence. His mind was still a muddled mess of conflicting instructions and emotions. Still something kept him on track and he knew his silence was imperative.

With that, Jason began delivering blow after blow rocking Lee's head from one side to the next, like a boxer caught in the ropes.

* * * *

Harry touched Chip's elbow, alerting him to be ready as he watched Jason move to the nose. This was going to be the diversion they needed, albeit at Lee's expense he was sure. He noticed that their “friend” had moved in the nose leaving only two armed guards in the control room, the others having moved forward to help their leader.

As soon as their “friend” reached a certain point in the nose, Harry lunged forward pushing a red button down as Chip efficiently took out their guard with an elbow to his chin. Harry pulled out the secreted gun and fired at guard number two as the crash doors did their job sealing off the control room from the nose.

Harry and Chip ran out of the control room using the aft hatch running as fast as they could, the technicians at their stations having ducked for cover.

* * * * *

“Stop! Stop!” Doctor Paris pleaded with her brother as Lee's body went totally limp. He was dropped to the floor as she lifted his eyelids to confirm her suspicion. But any misinterpretation of her pleas to stop the beating were cleared up in her next statement.

“Fool! I can do nothing with him when he is unconscious.”

“Get the Code!” Jason screamed as the lead guard found the crash door button on the chart table, opening it to reveal what they had already surmised. The prisoners had escaped.

“You and you,” he said pointing at two guards, “come with me,” as they left to retrieve Admiral Nelson and the first officer.

Jason ignored the work of his Chief of Security, Baxter would get them. How many places are there to hide on a submarine submersed in 90 feet of water anyway? The greater concern was getting Crane to talk before they hit their rendezvous coordinates.

His buyers were ruthless, and they weren't accustomed to being denied. They didn't want Seaview to explore the ocean, they wanted the firepower found within her. Jason looked at Vanessa and snarled, “Get the Code, or this whole mess will be for nothing,” stomping off to the control room.

Doctor Paris was on her knees pushing back the hair from Lee's forehead, patting his cheeks, trying to get him to show some sign of consciousness.

“Get me some cool water,” she said, as her assistant ran off to comply. She didn't understand, no-one had been able to resist her drug before. She'd have to do something different with the next injection. Then she sat back, smiling as she decided upon her next course of action.

* * * * *

Chip and Harry ran through Seaview's corridors, trying to avoid the men whose footfalls they could hear behind them. They had just about reached their objective, a little used service hatch when they heard the “click” of a weapon from the opposite corridor. They looked up into the eyes of a black clad guard holding his very deadly rifle in their direction.

“Drop it,” he ordered as Harry complied lowering his sidearm to the ground. The footfalls of one man arrived from the right as “Friend” came walking up with his gun drawn.

“Good work Jenkins, I'll make sure Mr. Paris hears of your...” but the rest of his words were lost on the hapless guard as Friend delivered a devastating blow to the back of his neck with the butt of his gun. The guard crumpled to the floor, and Friend picked up his rifle and the handgun handing them to Chip and Nelson respectively.

“My name is John Baxter, CIA,” identifying himself as he picked up the unconscious guard by the arms. “You've got a place for him? I've got two more back that way,” jerking his head back toward the corridor he had just come from.

“Baxter, you've got good timing. In here,” Harry pointed to the main store's hatch. “Chip, help Baxter with the other two and we'll meet back here to plan.”

Chip complied and left with CIA operative John Baxter to retrieve two guards with very big bumps on their heads.

* * * * *

Harry and Baxter talked as Chip finished trussing up the last guard with duct tape.

“I'm sorry about the subterfuge, I've been deep undercover. So deep that I couldn't report our target to warn Lee or you.”

Harry raised an eyebrow, Baxter obviously knew Lee as the familiar use of his first name implied.

“Just glad you were here to help us out now,” Harry replied, realizing that how Lee and Baxter were acquainted could wait until later, besides it didn't take a four star admiral to realize that the alphabet soups had met previously on a mission.

“You have a plan?” Harry continued.

“Get to Lee, stop the bad guys. Other than that, its your boat Admiral. I was hoping you could give me some help here.”

Harry smiled inwardly, he was already liking Baxter.

“Okay, but we'll need some help,” a plan already forming in Harry's mind. “Where do they have my men?”

“Half in the crew's quarters, the half other half in the wardroom.”

Chip watched as Harry began formulating his plan. The man could plan his way out of just about anything, he had a brilliant mind for strategy and is wasn't hard to figure out how he had earned those stars.

“Which is the least guarded?” Harry continued.

“The crew's quarters, most of the officers are in the wardroom,” offering an explanation for the extra security.

“Alright, let's get on it. Here's the plan...” Chip and Baxter leaned close as Admiral Nelson laid out the plan and objectives. It was good plan, it might just work.

* * * * *

Admiral Nelson and Chip Morton walked toward the Crew's quarters with their hands clasped behind their heads, as Baxter followed guarding them with a gun. They were led to a door flanked by two guards.

“You want to put the officer's in here?” One asked inquisitively.

“Don't want them conspiring with the other officers,” Baxter explained. “Open up.”

The one guard turned to unlock the door, while the other guard turned distracted by Chip's moan and fainting spell. Baxter took out the guard unlocking the door, and Harry took the second guard out. Chip recovered, and stood back up, the blood on his forehead making him the likely actor for that last charade.

Harry and Chip resumed their roles as prisoners as Baxter pushed them into the Crew's quarters. Two guards inside started towards the two “prisoners” and quickly found themselves being dropped to the floor as dead weight, out cold.

“Pull the other guards inside,” Harry said issuing orders to Chief Sharkey. Sharkey and Kowalski brought the two inside and the guards were piled in the corner with plenty of crew members to guard over them.

“Chief, take one man and retrieve the M4-11 gas canisters and meet Mr. Morton at Air Revitalization. You men use your personal emergency breathers, the rest of the crew will just have to wake up later.” Harry was pleased that this part of the plan was working out so well. Each of the crew members' survival breathers were stored in their personal lockers. Each man grabbed a rebreather, as Sharkey pulled out three giving them to the Admiral, Mr. Morton and the CIA guy, Baxter.

“You sure you don't want me with you, Sir?” Sharkey asked handing the Admiral his rebreather.

“After the gas has been dispensed, you and the men start the clean up Chief. I want all the intruders in the brig,” Harry picked up an extra rebreather as he spoke.

“Aye Sir, you can count on us!” Sharkey's exuberance was catchy, they just might be able to pull this off.

“At this point, it doesn't matter if Lee folds or not,” Baxter said in a low tone to Harry.

“It makes every difference and Lee knows it.” Harry's eyes met Baxter's as he spoke. “Part of the new Fail Safe Protocol is that once any ally goes nuclear, it alerts all the other allies. One nervous and shaky country can start the ball rolling on a nuclear disaster.”

Baxter nodded his understanding and they opened the door slightly, looking for unfriendlies. Two Seaview crew members took the place of the original guards outside the door, now dressed in the black clothes of their “guards”.

Harry and Baxter took off in one direction, Chip in another, and Sharkey and Patterson followed turning down a different corridor. The plan was in action.

* * * * *

An assistant with a white lab coat sat on her knees applying cool compresses to Captain Crane's face. His head started to roll slightly from side to side and a moan escaped.

“He's waking up,” she said lifting her head to meet Doctor Vanessa Paris, who had been pacing the deck in front of the giant herculite windows.

“Put him back in the chair.”

Lee was grabbed, barely coming back to consciousness, and hauled back into the chair by several guards. His hands were again secured by the handcuffs that had previously been left dangling on the straight back chair.

His head hung forward, but Lee's coherency had been returning. He noticed that he could think a little better, and had no trouble remembering what had happened earlier.

“Captain Crane.” He lifted his head compliantly, not wanting to give away the amount of defiance that had returned to him.

“You remember how difficult the first injection was? Longer, more intense...it was a double dose. That's what were going to do, start all over again with the double dose.” Doctor Paris let that sink in, knowing that by now the drug wearing off would allow Lee to think and reason.

“Now, why don't we save you a lot of pain and just give me the Code now?”

Lee's eyes registered a continued defiance as he spoke, “I have nothing to say.”

“You bring this on yourself, Captain,” she spat, turning quickly on her heels to retrieve the hypodermic needle that had been prepared by her assistants. She walked up to him, pushing his sleeve up harshly, and plunged the needle in viciously.

...87...88...89..., Lee lost the thread, he couldn't concentrate enough to count out the two minutes. The last bit of coherency he could muster was a three word prayer of “help me know...” a few more long seconds and the pain subsided.

Lee's head sagged once again, when he heard her voice. It was so calm and comforting. She was here to help, he was sick...she would take care of everything.

“Captain, I need your Reset Code to protect your country.”

Lee nodded in complete compliance, the double dose of drug on top of three prior injections left his mind muddled and confused. He was convinced that to give her the Code would be what his superior officers would want. Have to protect my country.

“1, 5, Charlie, Alpha, Bravo.”

Doctor Paris smiled triumphantly, “Very good Captain, now the Nuclear Code. Your country is unprotected right now. You're ill, give me the code, I'll protect it.”

Everything she said after “Nuclear Code” was lost as Lee felt like a lightening bolt had flashed in his mind. My nuclear code must never be given to any other individual... Lee suddenly remembered from the contract he agreed to when he signed on with Seaview. I agree to protect the code with my life...

to protect my country...to do so with the utmost integrity...

The bits and pieces of his agreement came to his barely coherent mind as his emotions warred with the small line that separated right from wrong in his mind.

“Captain Crane, the Nuclear Code?”

Lee looked at her, confusion in his eyes. She continued to speak to him, as the line became thinner and thinner.

* * * * *

Doctor Paris walked into the control room where her brother stood looking at a course at the Nav computer. She handed him a paper.

“The Reset Code,” she answered with a smile.

Jason took three long strides to the weapons console and handed the code to his technician. He entered the code into the console, and the lights returned to their previous state indicating the console was no longer locked out. The ready code sat at “Peace” having been reset with the lock out.

Jason Paris cracked a small tight smile then turned back to his sister with his hand extended.

“I'll take the Nuclear Code now.”

“He's still blocking me...” her further explanation cut off as Jason pulled her close by two strong hands high on her arms near her shoulders.

“Do you know what will happen to us if we reach the coordinates without the Nukes operational? Get the Code, I don't care how, but get the Code!” He released her with a shove back to the nose. Doctor Paris walked back with her ego sorely bruised. No one had ever beaten her drug, and Crane would not be the first. All she needed was time, he would break.

“Prepare another hypo,” her order calmly delivered.

“Its too soon, he hasn't recovered yet. You'll kill him,” the concerned assistant explained.

“I seriously doubt that,” her statement spat practically in Lee's ear.

The shocked lab assistant picked up a needle and a vial and began filling the hypo with the dark fluid. She held the hypo and waited for the Doctor to give her orders.

“Captain Crane, I know you can hear me.”

Again he lifted his head, compliant in every way except in releasing the Nuclear Code.

“You know how hard it was to keep the Code from me on the last injection,” pausing as she spoke, “You know you'll tell me everything I want to know on the next injection. Why put yourself through it?”

Her voice a mixture of lies and comfort all at the same time for Lee's confused mind. But somewhere in the middle of that last injection the line between right and wrong returned. He only hoped it would last long enough, he wasn't sure how much more he could take.

A small shake of his head gave his answer, not trusting to even open his mouth. Without a word she took the needle from her assistant's hands and administered a fifth dose to Lee.

* * * * *

Harry and Baxter made their way back to the control room. Baxter was the head of security, and so it was not difficult to work around the security patrols since he had set up the patrol patterns himself. They settled themselves into the deck at the top of the spiral stairs, lying on their stomachs looking down into the control room.

Harry checked his watch...four more minutes. Baxter pointed to the weapon's console.

“He gave up the Reset Code.”

“Yes, but not the Nuclear Code, look...” pointing toward the nose, “she's still working on him.”

About that time Harry heard Lee cry out in an uncontrollable release of his pain. He watched him as he convulsed in the chair, wishing he could stop what was happening. He looked at his watch, three more minutes, Lee...hold on three more minutes.

* * * * *

Lee's head raised at the sound of his name as sweat dripped from the side of his head, rolling down his cheek.

“I want the Nuclear Code, Captain.” All false pretense was now dropped from the Doctor's orders, as she demanded his compliance.

Lee had nothing left, his prayers were all used up. All he had left in him was to lift his head toward heaven, then he saw it. A white gas blowing quietly and stealthily through the air ducts. A small chuckle escaped his mouth as relief came over him like a flood.

“And what's so funny, Captain?”

Lee brought his eyes up to look directly into Dr. Paris'.

“Its over Doctor...you've lost.” At that, his head went limp and Lee was lost in a deep unconscious state.

Dr. Paris shook him, his head flopping around like a rag doll. To her right, several of her assistants began to fall. To her left a guard dropped his gun and fell to his knees.

“What's happening!” She yelled across the control room as men began to fall from the station seats, and then Vanessa Paris succumbed to the M4-11 gas.

* * * * *

Harry watched noting the time on his watch as he and Baxter donned their rebreathers. Lee had made it, he had done his part in averting a possible nuclear disaster, now it was up to Seaview's Crew to take back the boat.

The gas affected Lee first, not unusual in his weakened state, but only a few seconds passed when the intruders began to fall several at a time from their stations. Harry and Baxter waited until the heavily armed guards succumbed and then they headed down the spiral staircase toward Jason Paris and the weapon's console operator.

Jason seemed to be a man who planned things well, because when Harry got to him he was wearing a rebreather mask himself. Baxter went after the other man still left standing, as he and Harry both exchanged punches with the last two intruders not affected by the gas.

Seaview's crew began to stream through the aft hatch, and down the spiral staircase as they secured the room and took over the critical stations.

“All stop!”

Harry heard Chip bring the boat to a stand still as he threw the final gut punch to put Jason Paris away. Paris lay on the floor catching his breath when John Baxter drew his arms behind his back and began securing him with a pair of handcuffs.

“You! Baxter...you!” It was all Paris could think of as he was hauled up to his feet, meeting Baxter's eyes.

“Yeah me. You have the right to remain silent...” John was enjoying reading Paris his “Rights” ushering him towards the brig as he spoke.

Harry looked around the room, everything was in control. Chip was at the chart table, and Harry ran to Lee. The other intruders were secured, and starting to stir, but Lee was still out cold. Harry rose, to meet Chip at the table.

“Have Jamie report to the nose as soon as he is able.” Jamie had been kept with the officers in the Wardroom and unfortunately, they were all just now waking up.

“Aye Sir.”

Harry heard Chip make the announcement over the boat's com system as he leaned over the chart table to get their current position.

“We have a bogey on the sonar,” Kowalski's voice calmly announced.

Both Harry and Chip went to sonar, standing behind Ski.

“Profiles like a Class B Bolshaya.”

“Soviet built but many decommissioned and sold off, could be any number of countries, or even a terrorist group,” Admiral Nelson reasoned.

“How far out are they?”

“On the edge of the sonar, looks like they're stationary.”

“Here's the coordinates that were fed into the Nav Computer, Admiral. I'd say they're waiting to see who's coming to meet them.” Chip's assessment was sound and reasonable.

“OK Chip, I doubt that they're ready to play with the big boys. Keep a watch Sonar, if they pursue, I want to know.”

“Aye Sir,” Ski's attention never leaving his screen.

“Chip get us out of here, let's lose that sub.”

“Aye Sir,” heading to the chart table to bring the Seaview safely about.

* * * * *

Harry watched as corpsman lifted the stretcher carrying Seaview's Captain towards sickbay. He reached out stopping Jamie with a touch of his arm.

“Jamie?”

“I don't know for sure Admiral. He's stable, I'll have to analyze the blood work to know for sure.” Harry nodded his understanding and watched them carry Lee out the aft hatch.

“And you're wondering if he'll recover,” a woman's voice sounded behind him. Harry turned around to see Doctor Paris being led out of the control room to a detention area.

“I shouldn't worry, Admiral. Nothing about the Captain surprises me anymore.” Her voice was sarcastic and rude, and Harry had had enough.

“Get her out of here.” Harry didn't bother to add any pleasantries he might have offered a real lady.

* * * * *

Admiral Nelson looked around the control room. Chip had everything under control. Seaview was on her way back home, Washington had been notified and Harry had spent a good deal of the evening reporting to ONI. Baxter had made his report to the CIA, and the agencies were comparing notes.

“Chip, everything's secure, hit the rack.” Chip's forehead sported a white bandage that hid four stitches underneath. He had held everything together once again, and Harry was grateful for having the best XO in any man's navy.

Chip sighed, it was nearly 2400 hours, he really did need the rack time. “Aye Sir. Have you checked on Lee lately?”

“I'm heading there now, but so far Jamie says he's recovering. He's still out, so why don't you sleep while he does,” Harry giving a half smile as he delivered his “request”.

It really wasn't a suggestion, and Chip knew it. He needed to rest up to take Alpha Watch in the morning. Chip turned over the Con and headed to Officer's Country.

Harry needed to do the same, but he also needed to see Lee himself. He had swung by earlier, and Lee looked like he was still out soundly. He really wouldn't feel right until he saw Lee, and talked to him.

He looked up when he heard steps on the spiral staircase seeing John Baxter heading his way.

“The prisoners are secure Sir, I thought I'd check in with you before I go to sleep. Have you heard anymore about Lee?”

“I was just going there myself,” Harry nodding his head as an invitation to join him.

As they walked Harry thought he might see if his assumption of how Baxter and Lee met was right.

“So John, how did you and Lee come to meet?”

John smiled, “He saved my life. We ran into each other out in the field, when I got in over my head. Didn't even know ONI was involved till this tall guy with dark hair shows up picking my cell door and carrying me out.”

Harry smiled as well. Sounds just like Lee.

“We've ran across each other a few other times. He's a good operative, I just never thought that we'd cross paths like this. And you know, he's got the CIA stirred up pretty good.”

“I heard all about it when I talked to Washington.”

“They, uh..want me to try and convince him to work for the Company.”

Harry was not appreciative of that idea. John noticed and laughed.

“Don't worry Sir, I know that Lee is happy with his day job. I told them it wouldn't do any good. I'll ask because they want me to, but I won't put any heart into it.”

Harry nodded appreciatively, truth be known, he knew Lee had no interest in working Intelligence full time. He knew Lee pretty well, and he was a sub driver first and foremost. He did what he did for ONI because he felt it was his duty. Lee was loyal, he would answer the call if they needed his expertise, but to do it full time? No way.

They reached Sickbay, and Harry wasn't surprised at all to see Jamie still there attending Lee after 2400.

“Hello, Admiral,” Jamie's greeting kept low as to not disturb his patient. Harry looked across the room to see Lee laying on a gurney in the area that Jamie usually kept for surgeries. It was protocol. Lee had been pumped full of drugs, and he was kept separate from the other patients Jamie had seen throughout the evening. Mostly cuts and bruises, a few stitches but nothing major.

“How's he doing, Jamie?”

“Look for yourself Admiral.” Jamie vacated the seat he was sitting in as he looked through a microscope. “The slide on the left is Lee's blood sample when he was brought in here six hours ago. The sample on the right I just took.” He explained even as Admiral Nelson sat down and began looking at the slides.

“It looks like the drug has nearly dissipated?”

“Yes, its been steadily decreasing. I'd say that by tomorrow morning, he'll be free of the drug.” Jamie was obviously pleased.

“Has he been awake?” The Admiral asking cautiously.

“Off and on throughout the evening,” Jamie smiled, he was sure he knew where the Admiral was headed.

“And you talked with him?”

“Yes, I gave him the space he needed at first, too many drugs floating around his system, he was confused but still had it together enough to ask about his boat.”

“And now?”

“He's as competent and confident as ever Admiral. I'd say that the only side effect that I've found so far is extreme fatigue.” Jamie paused looking straight into the Admiral's eyes.

“He's exhausted Admiral. Physically from dealing with the pain, and mentally from resisting the drug. But I imagine that I'll be releasing him to his cabin by tomorrow evening. If he continues to improve, I'll release him to light duty. I rather think that light duty would be good for him just now.”

John was relieved. He had listened to the entire exchange without adding his questions or input, but that's really what he needed to know. If he could have spared Lee this experience, he would have.

“That sounds great,” John broke his silence to say. “Admiral, if you don't mind I'll retire now, thanks for the update Doc,” and with that he left.

“Mind if I check in on him?”

“Sure Admiral.”

Harry approached the gurney and watched Lee sleep. The gurney was raised slightly lifting Lee's head. The bruises on his face were just starting to turn purple, but he didn't look too bad at all. He started to walk away when he heard Lee call his name.

“Admiral?”

“Lee, I didn't mean to wake you,” speaking as he moved back towards the gurney.

“You didn't. Haven't been able to stay asleep more than a couple hours at a time. Jamie says stimulants.” Harry shook his head knowingly, Dr. Paris having told him as much.

Jamie stepped over checking Lee's vitals and smiled.

“Admiral, if you don't mind, I'm going to grab some coffee and a sandwich from the wardroom.”

“Fine Jamie, I'll stay with him.”

Jamie exited knowing that the best medicine he could give Lee was this talk with Admiral Nelson, that and the privacy they needed to speak freely.

“Admiral, Seaview?” Harry smiled at Lee's question.

“Seaview's firmly in our hands Lee.” Lee's face registered relief as Harry continued.

“The prisoner's are secure. They'll be with us a few days, Washington wants to make the exchange a little closer to home, out of international waters.”

Lee nodded his understanding and closed his eyes.

“You're exhausted Lee, we can talk in the morning.”

Lee's eyes opened and looked toward the Admiral.

“If you don't mind Sir, I'd like to talk awhile.”

Harry smiled and went to retrieve a stool to sit on. He was glad Lee wanted to talk, he needed it as well.

“How about the crew, Sir?” He was sure Jamie had told him, but his mind had been so confused when he first woke up.

“A few cuts and bruises. You were our worst casualty.”

“Admiral, thanks. I knew if I could give us both some time, you'd think of something.” Lee's eyes echoing his sincerity.

“Lee, there's a line of men in Washington waiting to thank you.” Harry continued on knowing Lee was obviously uncomfortable with the compliment having lowered his eyes briefly.

“You caused quite a stir at the CIA you know?” Harry said as he continued.

“Sir?”

“They've lost several good men to Dr. Paris' drug. They're trying to figure out how you took five doses.”

Lee looked away, sighed and returned his eyes to Harry.

“I'm afraid they're not going to like my answer, Admiral.” Harry's eyes registered his curiosity as he let Lee continue without interruption.

“The drug had a strange affect. You know Admiral, everything she asked me for, everything... felt like the right thing to do. I mean morally the right thing to do. It felt right to trust her, to believe what she said.”

“But you didn't.”

“No. When she asked for the Nuclear Code I still had a line, like a line drawn in the sand, where I still knew my duty, what was right. And so I prayed, Admiral. I prayed that I would be able to tell the difference between what I felt was right and what I knew was right, so I could make the right choice.” Lee paused a moment, and then continued.

“She didn't tell me what she wanted until the second injection. I was able to resist, but I knew each dose would get harder, the only thing I could think of was to shut down the console.”

“So you gave them the expired code.”

“I thought I should wait till the third injection, was afraid they'd know I was up to something,” he smiled slightly. “I had to concentrate on the number over and over... I was afraid I'd give her the correct code.”

“It was risky, but you were right. Dr. Paris didn't expect you to break until the third dose.”

“I was hoping you'd think of something, the only thing I could offer was a possible diversion.”

“That part worked. Chip and I made our get away when Jason Paris went crazy, using you as a punching bag.”

Lee remembered the satisfied feeling he had when Jason realized that he had been shut out, and smiled.

“Yeah, but it was worth seeing his face when he got locked out!” The glimmer in Lee's eyes was good to see again.

“We couldn't have done it without John. He slipped me a gun, and helped us to get away.” Harry wanted to give Baxter credit where it was due.

Lee nodded his head. “I recognized him right away, but when he made like he didn't know me, I knew he was in deep. I just ignored him, hoping he had a plan.”

Harry knew Lee appreciated knowing what happened on his end, so he continued to fill him in.

“John got us into the crew's quarters and we freed enough men to help with the plan. By the time Baxter and I got back to the control room, they had the weapon's console up again.” Harry delivered this matter of factly, he hated to bring it up, but it would end up in the after action report anyway.

Lee's eyes dropped a moment, but he raised them again. There wasn't too much he couldn't share with the Admiral.

“It was after the fourth injection, she gave me a double dose.”

“Like the first dose? It seemed to last longer, maybe more intense?” The Admiral asking for clarification.

“Yeah.” Lee blew a breath out. “It was scary how easily she got the Reset Code from me Admiral.” The regret obviously still fresh. “It seemed like the line in the sand was gone...but when she asked for the Nuclear Code it all came back.”

“How did you do it?”

Lee gave a soft chuckle, “I prayed harder. It's all I had left.”

“Then she gave you the fifth dose.” Harry guiding the conversation onward.

Lee's eyes diverted from the Admiral's as he spoke. “I didn't think I was going to survive that one. I couldn't think anymore, I just looked up and I saw the gas coming through the ventilator.”

Harry's eyebrows went up, but he didn't say anything, as Lee continued.

“I knew that if I could just hold out a little longer, I would either be unconscious or dead. I guess it worked.” His small smile giving away his satisfaction.

“You're right Lee. Washington isn't going to like your answer. What you've got, they can't pour into a test tube.”

Lee appreciated the Admiral's sentiment, but it still embarrassed him, still he returned Harry's smile. It really had felt good to talk with the him about everything. He suppressed a yawn, but Harry caught it.

“I don't know about you Lee, but I could use some rack time after this day.”

“Sounds good, Sir. And Admiral...thanks again.”

The last was said as Lee's eyelids fell heavily. Harry knew they both would sleep better now.

“Sleep well, Lad,” he whispered lightly and moved from the stool to head to his cabin.

* * * * *

Two days later, Lee stood in the control room, his first day back. He was on light duty, but he needed to be busy. Most of all, he needed the closure that seeing Jason and Vanessa Paris leaving his boat would bring.

He looked up as John Baxter climbed down the ladder having come from the conning tower.

“We're ready to transfer the prisoners Captain.”

Lee smiled at his formality.

“Very well, Chief make ready for the prisoners' departure.” Sharkey made his “Aye Sir” and headed towards the brig.

“Lee,” John spoke softer, “If I could have stopped this...I would have.”

“I know John,” Lee's voice was strong and in control, “but the next time we meet, I hope its in a less official capacity.”

They shook hands firmly as John spoke. “You got it, Captain,” and John Baxter climbed the ladder to escort the prisoners to the Destroyer that was waiting.

“Chip, I want the Watch sharp. No surprises.”

“Aye Sir. Now hear this men, attend your stations but stay on your toes.”

Each man was well aware of how the boat had been taken and what they had done to the Skipper. Each man was prepared to make sure that the prisoner's departure was uneventful.

* * * * *

Chief Sharkey lead the prisoners through the aft hatch, Lee had positioned himself on the other side of the ladder, next to the radio shack. The prisoners began their accent up the conning tower where they were met by John Baxter and a security detail from the Destroyer.

Lee watched as Ski escorted his prisoner, Vanessa Paris to the ladder. She stopped and addressed Lee.

“Impressive Captain. Two days and you're back to work.” She leaned in closer and spoke in a loud stage whisper, “But we both know that I could have broke you. Five more minutes, and I would have broke you.” Her taunt her last weapon to use against Lee.

Lee's face remained steady as he drew his eyes to Ski and spoke.

“Kowalski,”

“Sir?”

“Kindly escort Dr. Paris,” his eyes returning to meet hers, “OFF-MY-BOAT.” The last delivered in a strong but controlled tone.

“Aye Sir!”

Kowalski motioned her to climb, followed by Ski and the last of the prisoners.

Lee stood for a moment at the bottom of the ladder, then turned toward his control room taking in the sight.

“Sparks, report when the transfer is complete,” addressing the boat's radio officer and then heading with confidence in his steps to the chart table.

* * * * *

The Admiral was standing on deck, watching as the prisoners were boarded onto the Destroyer's boats. Dr. Paris waited her turn, speaking as she neared Harry.

“You saw my formula Admiral Nelson. You know the elements I used. How did he do it?” Her inquiry revealing her disappointment at having lost to Captain Crane's will.

“What he has, you can't analyze and prepare for...” Harry started, but was interrupted by the Doctor.

“If you mean the integrity problem, I solved that.” Her scientific mind trying to solve the mystery behind her failed attempt at breaking the Captain.

“You can't pour into a test tube the measure of a man's faith, or just how powerful a foe he'll be when his prayers are answered.” He knew that Vanessa Paris had no clue as to what he was saying, but took her look of surprise with satisfaction.

“Faith?” She spat out.

“The integrity of a man, is often defined by his faith. You can never factor that out.” With that Harry took her restrained hands and guided her to her boat, effectively ending the conversation.

He watched as the final boats left, it felt good as if Seaview had been fumigated and was clean again. Harry thought about the “miracle” that's the only thing he could think to call it.

Lee said that he looked up and saw the gas in the ventilator, but M4-11 was odorless and colorless. Lee shouldn't have been able to see the gas, yet he did, and it gave him the strength to hold out a little longer. He smiled at the words he had spoken to Dr. Paris and realized how much it spoke of Lee Crane.

“The integrity of a man, is often defined by his faith.”

His revelry was broken as he felt Lee move to his side.

“Its good to see them gone,” Lee reflected. “I was thinking Admiral, when we reach Pearl, I know a great place on the beach to eat.”

“Sounds good, Lee. Why don't you, Chip and I finish that lunch we never started.”

Both men smiling as they turned to the conning tower to make their way back into the control room of the world's most powerful nuclear submarine on earth.

The End

Integrity

Author's Note: I feel completely satisfied that the story's hint of faith is in line with the original series, as Admiral Nelson quotes chapter and verse from the Book of Jonah in the second season opening episode, and reads from Genesis as an answer to why they couldn't find the origins of life on the first season episode “Cradle of the Deep.” There is another episode where an open Bible sits on the Admiral's desk, its never addressed, its just a quiet part of his life.

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her main characters belong to Irwin Allen